Scripps Whittier Invitational

Your involvement will help Scripps Whittier Diabetes Institute continue to make a difference in San Diego County. Proceeds from the dinner and tournament will help critical programs and services such as our clinical research center and Project Dulce^TM.

Clinical research is an integral and vitally importantaspect of SWDI. In addition to Dr. Alberto Hayek's Islet Cell Laboratory, which has been conducting innovative research to identify new ways to replicate islet cells and differentiate stem cells into insulin-producing cells for 23 years, the SWDI Clinical Research Center offers clinical trials on an ongoing basis for people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. These studies research the preservation and rejuvenation of cell function related to diabetes.

Project Dulce^TM provides diabetes care to low income and underserved populations. Extensive socio-cultural research is conducted to adapt the group education curriculum and to meet the needs of Latino, African-American, Filipino, and Vietnamese communities. Project Dulce^TM is based on a chronic care model. This means a nurse-led team consisting of a RN/CDE (Certified Diabetes Educator), medical assistant and dietitian provides clinical care in collaboration with the patient's primary care provider. Peer educators from each of these cultural groups provide diabetes education and support to respective communities.

Project Dulce^TM also encompasses the Children's Diabetes and Obesity Prevention Program, which conducts school programs, with the goal of reducing the epidemic rise of type 2 diabetes in children. In addition, a partnership with the SWDI's Mobile Medical Unit provides telemedicine retinal screenings for high-risk individuals to raise awareness and prevent blindness.